Martin/Yogitunes - Is that an RCA New Vista?

[philcobendixduo]

I was just looking at the pics from Martin/Yogitune's wash-in and saw in one of the photos what looks to be a 1960's RCA New Vista portable stereo record player.
Yes?
My parents bought one in 1965 or so and it was on a metal stand with storage for records on the bottom. It was donated to charity many years ago.
Sorry for reposting an existing picture, but since there are so many of the wash-in, I wanted to be sure it was clear which one I saw the RCA in.

 

[tolivac]

A freind of mine had a portable record player that looked like that one-It was a GE-the TT dropped down from the center of the main case-the speakers were on the outside of the case and could be detached from it.The one in that picture looks so much like that GE-trying to remember their name of it.

 

[tolivac]

It just hit me--the name of that portable GE stereo record player--Mustang!

 

[drewz]

To me it looks to be like one of the first solid state New Vista's, notice the little metal tag on the upper right hand corner that was usually the solid state symbol, and by the handle on top of the unit it looks like RCA Victor, with the little meatball & Nipper icon.

 

[drewz]

Rex, wasn't there a GE Wildcat too?

 

[tolivac]

Yes,beleive GE had a Wildcat model,too.Can we get a closeup shot of the mystery record player?Would like to know what it is.

 

[yogitunes]

Wow....you guys probably know more about one of these than I do......it reminds me of something I had as a kid.....I got it from an estate sale, if you followed the thread back a ways, my BIL's mothers estate, where I got the Maytag still in the box.....they had a yard sale, and I picked up some more trinkets....

I will get more close pics when I get to the house, and model numbers and such....I think I have the manual to this as well....

I have to get it into service, it is SolidState, but has a hum to it when I turn it on.....not sure why....maybe because it doesn't know the words, who knows...

give me a day or two, and I will get back to you.....

this link is when I first got it...

More estate sale finds!

went to the estate yardsale, where I got the maytag and whirlpool washers, and for $5.00...this is what I got...what do you think?

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[lordkenmore]

Hum

Is the hum low pitched (60 hz frequency)? If so, it's probably a bad electrolytic capacitor in the power supply. These are a problem component that will often need replacing after years of use. They also don't like sitting around unused, say, stored in an attic for 20 years. You can't win.

 

[philcobendixduo]

Must be an earlier model RCA than we had...

.....as now I recall ours had the control knobs for volume, bass, treble and balance across the front above the swing-down record changer. Where are the controls on this model? I'm not seeing them. The one we had also had a microphone and input so you could "sing along" with the records!
The speakers detach from the main unit for better separation, if needed.
Thanks for the great pics of the unit!
The original box, too!

 

[yogitunes]

I'll get some better pics and closeups/birdeye views for you guys....

but the controls are on top of the record changer, right in the front....the 45rpm adapter and microphone are mounted in the top left...the speakers do come off and seperate.....

I have a plastic cover that came with it as well, but only fits if the unit is closed...still in its sealed package....

its just a cool piece to have on display.......

it is a rather loud annoying bass hum....almost like feedback......gonna take it to the shop eventualy.....but for now, I rig it into my Pioneer system, just to see it play for nostalgia, and yet great sound from the big system...

 

[drewz]

Bill,

I know the model you had, I have the last production as a "RCA Victor" product which was just like the one you describe less the mircophone with a New & Improved "Studiomatic" record changer. (New arm & control design from late 1967 thru 1970)

Of course in 1969 RCA dropped the Victor and Nipper and then in 1971 went to plastic trash thru 1974 which killed the audio line of RCA. HOWEVER, if you purchased the best $$$ console's then known as "The Showcase Series" these units were still half way decent pieces of equipment at the time.

 

[danemodsandy]

Mustang/Wildcat

"Mustang" and "Wildcat" were GE's names for the suitcase-style stereo with the drop-down turntable.

Later, when GE began downsizing its small appliance and consumer electronics divisions, the suitcase stereo tooling got sold off to Emerson, who kept the "Wildcat" name on their version. Controls and turntables are different on the Emerson versions; Emerson used low-line BSR changers, where GE had used their own.

So, you'll see these stereos branded GE and Emerson.

 

[retromania]

We had ....

.... a GE Wildcat. Before that it was a Sears brand stereo that had a muted green cloth covering on it. When the turntable was in the closed position, it displayed a nice wood finish. It too sat on a metal stand with wheels. Slots in the bottom for lp's and 45's. It was a nice stereo when it worked. However, it was at Sears service more than it was at our house.

 

[philcobendixduo]

Here's a pic of the RCA New Vista Stereo...

.....along with our RCA New Vista COLOR television - one of the first in our neighborhood.

Sorry the pic doesn't give a better view of the stereo, but you can see the knobs on the front and the optional stand with record storage on the bottom.

 

[retromania]

Love the photo!!!

Who's who?

 

[tolivac]

Funny use for a GE Musdtang record player-Me and another tech were working at a small AM fixing their 1Kw AM transmitter-The station signed off for the day-and we could work.Finished working on their Tx----but no audio to test it-My freind remebered the GE TT in the car-so we brought it in-disconnected one speaker-fed into the site audio system to the transmitter from that speaker channel.Left the other speaker connected -as a monitor-we tested the transmitter by playing records thru it with one speaker channel-transmitter running into a dummy load-breifly on the air.Worked great-the GE Mustang record player served as a makeshift program source.The record player came from a swap shop in the Baltimore area-was a Baltimore station.Gates 1G transmitter.4 tower array.

 

[philcobendixduo]

Which one is me?

The one with the glasses!
I don't know WHAT I'm holding....

 

[yogitunes]

Whats he holding?

OH, OH, Mr K O T T E R!..........I know, I know........

but I cant say it in this forum.......lol

God is gonna get me.....I am so bad!

 

[retromania]

Martin

Cruise over to your email!